May 26, 2014: Additional Information on I-77 Crash

Yesterday, May 25, 2014, at approximately 5:00 p.m. a crash occurred on I-77. According to witnesses in uninvolved vehicles the crashed maroon Chevrolet Lumina (previously, and incorrectly, reported to Metro 911 by witnesses as a Buick sedan) went into the closed right lane. The lane was closed for bridge construction of the interstate overpass over Surface Road near the 103 mile marker.

Sergeant D. J. Waller was on patrol on I-77 South when he saw a crowd of people standing near their vehicles near the crash scene. He stopped to investigate and was the first emergency responder on scene. He is also a member of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office’s Crash Reconstruction Unit. He was assisted by Deputy H. Shipman.

The vehicle went over a hillside where bridge construction is ongoing, landing on its top. The Sissonville and Pinch Volunteer Fire Departments responded. They stabilized the vehicle with cables to prevent it from sliding farther down the hill, then cut away parts of the vehicle so the driver could be removed from the wreckage.

The driver, Auvil Whited (97 years old of Nitro, WV), was transported by Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority medics to Charleston Area Medical Center’s General Division for treatment. He was conscious and speaking upon arrival at the hospital yesterday evening. His current condition is unknown.

The new bridge construction appeared to have sustained damage from the crash. The vehicle was significantly damaged, too. The driver was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.